Community Encouraged to Help Feed Local Shelter Pets
LAKELAND, FL – The Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) is proud to once again partner with SPCA Florida for the third annual 7 Days of Giving, taking place July 7–14, 2025. This weeklong donation drive invites the community to help feed local shelter animals by donating dog or cat food at LFD Station 1, located at 701 E. Main Street in downtown Lakeland.
This year’s campaign goal is to collect 7,000 pounds of pet food and $7,000 in monetary donations to support SPCA Florida’s essential efforts. The funds and supplies collected will help feed more than 300 animals currently in the care of SPCA Florida. Thanks to the generosity of anonymous donors, all monetary donations will be tripled, amplifying the love and impact of each dollar.
When we show up to help, we’re there for every life—human or animal,” said Fire Chief Doug Riley. “Pets are part of the families we serve, and SPCA Florida has always been there to help the animals we rescue. This campaign is a way to give back and support their lifesaving work.
LFD personnel are trained and equipped with specialized animal rescue tools, including pet oxygen masks, leashes, and carriers, allowing them to provide aid to animals during fire, medical, and rescue emergencies. SPCA Florida often steps in to care for these animals after they’re rescued, providing shelter, rehabilitation, and adoption.
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The public is encouraged to bring pet food donations to Station 1 throughout the week. Those wishing to make a financial contribution should donate directly to SPCA Florida at www.spcaflorida.org/777.
Together, LFD and SPCA Florida recognize the vital role of the community in this meaningful effort. Your participation is crucial to help ensure that no shelter pet goes hungry. We invite you to join us and be part of this life-saving mission.
As of 8:00 PM EDT Thu Jul 3 2025… Near the Southeastern U.S.: Disorganized showers and thunderstorms across the Florida Peninsula eastward to the adjacent waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean are associated with a weak surface trough of low pressure. Environmental conditions are forecast to become more conducive for development, and a tropical or subtropical depression could form in this region over the weekend while the system drifts northward or northeastward. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible across portions of west-central and southwestern Florida through early Saturday, and across coastal sections of the Carolinas beginning later on Saturday. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system on Friday, if necessary. * Formation chance through 48 hours…medium…40 percent. * Formation chance through 7 days…medium…60 percent.
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As of 8:00 AM EDT Wed Jul 2 2025… Near the Southeastern U.S.: An area of low pressure could develop near the southeast U.S. Atlantic or Gulf coasts by this weekend along a weakening frontal boundary. Environmental conditions appear only marginally conducive for some slow development, but tropical or subtropical depression could form in this region over the weekend or early next week while the system moves little. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible across portions of the southeast U.S., particularly across the west-central Florida coast. * Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent. * Formation chance through 7 days…medium…40 percent.
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As of 2:00 PM EDT Mon Jun 30 2025… Near the Southeastern U.S.: A frontal boundary is expected to stall and weaken off the southeast U.S. coast late this week. An area of low pressure could develop from the weakening front by the weekend off the southeast U.S., over Florida, or over the eastern Gulf. Some gradual tropical or subtropical development could occur thereafter as the low moves little. * Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent. * Formation chance through 7 days…low…20 percent.
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Original post
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Florida-
June 29, 2025: At 7:54 a.m., the National Hurricane Center has the area in a low chance (20%) for tropical cyclone development late in the week into next weekend. At the present time the main impact looks to be heavy rainfall if a system does develop.
Directly from NHC: “As of 8:00 AM EDT Sun Jun 29 2025…
Southeastern U.S. Coastline:
Towards the end of this week into next weekend, an area of low pressure could develop from a remnant frontal boundary near or along the southeastern U.S. Atlantic and or Gulf coasts. Some gradual tropical or subtropical development could occur thereafter as it drifts slowly just off the U.S. coastline.
* Formation chance through 48 hours….low…near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days…low…20 percent.”
Special weather statement issued June 28, 2025 at 3:28 pm by NWS
At 328 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Winter Haven, moving northeast at 15 mph. HAZARD…Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch hail. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include… Inwood, Poinciana, Auburndale, Dundee, Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven Airport, Jan Phyl Village, Winter Haven, Haines City, Lake Hamilton, Wahneta, Waverly, Lake Alfred, Davenport, Eagle Lake, Lake Wales, and Fussels Corner.
Seeing Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton has been on our list for a long time. The only thing that usually gets in the way is the price tag. Like many folks, we’ve looked at the cost of getting there and back and it can be pretty intimidating.
But after some careful planning and a few last minute changes, we decided we are going to do it and we are going to try to do it for under $2500.
We originally had flights and a rental car booked for a Utah trip. That was the plan. But as road trips often go, things changed. We decided instead to head north and visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
After buying the tickets I also realized just how hot it gets around the Utah national parks this time of year. We are talking well into the 90s and even triple digits in some areas. Not exactly ideal for sightseeing.
With that in mind we decided to head for cooler weather. Up in Yellowstone and Grand Teton the daytime highs are in the upper 70s to low 80s with cool nights dropping into the 40s. That sounded a lot more enjoyable to us.
We just flew into Las Vegas landing around one o’clock this morning. These were round trip flights from Orlando to Las Vegas and we managed to get them for a total of $314 for both of us. That is not per person. That is both tickets round trip.
We also picked up our rental car but here is something folks should watch out for. I usually go with Budget when I rent cars and normally they are my preferred group. But Budget in Las Vegas is a franchise and they only allow you to drive the vehicle in Nevada Utah Arizona and California. That is not going to get you to Yellowstone.
Thankfully I talked to a helpful person with Budget and they worked with me to set up the same reservation through Budget Avis which allows travel all the way to Yellowstone and back. If you are planning a similar trip pay attention to those restrictions.
The Mountain View In Mesquite Nevada at 5:30am Pacific Time Zone
The Numbers So Far
Here is what we have spent so far
Flights from Orlando to Las Vegas round trip for both of us came to $314 Rental car for the trip $300 National Park Annual Pass $80 Estimated gas $285
Total so far $979
What’s Left
We still have lodging and food to figure out. We expect to be on the road for about seven nights and where we stay will be the biggest factor in whether or not we can keep this trip under $2500.
We plan to track every dollar and update folks along the way so you can see exactly what it takes.
The Route
We are headed from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City then up to Grand Teton National Park through Jackson Hole. After that several days in Yellowstone before making our way back to Las Vegas.
We are not planning a lot of hiking this time around. This trip is mostly about scenic drives iconic viewpoints and hopefully spotting some wildlife along the way.
Can We Do It
That is what we are about to find out. With some careful planning and watching what we spend we believe we can make this trip happen for under $2500.
If you have ever thought about visiting Yellowstone or Grand Teton but figured it was too expensive stick around. We will be sharing the real costs and experiences along the way so folks can see exactly what it takes.
On June 26, 2025, at approximately 4:40 p.m., a Winter Haven Police officer observed a silver Chrysler 200 run a red light at the intersection of Lake Howard Drive NW and Avenue G NW. The officer activated his emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver, identified as 35-year-old Jarrod Cole (DOB 11/18/1989), fled at a high rate of speed.
Cole recklessly drove into oncoming traffic, nearly causing multiple crashes. The officer maintained a safe distance while following the vehicle, eventually locating it stopped at a red light at Spirit Lake Road and Highway 540.
As the officer pulled up behind the Chrysler, Cole fled again, weaving between two lanes and crashing into a red Jeep. He then attempted to flee the scene on foot but was quickly apprehended and taken into custody.
Once secured inside a patrol vehicle, Cole spontaneously admitted that he fled because he didn’t have a valid driver’s license. A rifle was spotted in plain view inside the Chrysler, standing on the floorboard with the barrel facing upward. The rifle was loaded with 60 rounds of .223 ammunition, split between two magazines.
A backpack containing drugs was also found inside the vehicle, along with additional drugs located in the center console.
Cole was transported to the Polk County Jail and faces the following charges:
Armed Trafficking of Methamphetamine (Felony/Life) Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Felony/2nd Degree) Possession of Amphetamine (Felony/3rd Degree) Possession of Heroin (Felony/3rd Degree) Fleeing to Elude Law Enforcement with Lights and Sirens Activated (Felony/3rd Degree) Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injuries (Felony/3rd Degree) Warrant from Orange County Sheriff’s Office (Felony/3rd Degree) Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor/1st Degree) Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (Misdemeanor/1st Degree)
“This dangerous felon had total disregard of the lives of our officers and other drivers with his reckless actions,” said Chief Vance Monroe. “Our officers diligently continued to follow in an attempt to stop the threat.”
Winter Haven City Commission Votes 3-1 to Approve Immigration Task Force MOA, Despite Public Backlash
by James Coulter
Despite receiving a notable public backlash over potential “racial profiling” and “complicity with fascism”, Winter Haven city commissioners voted 3-1 to approve a memorandum of agreement (MOA) establishing a partnership initiative between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
At their regular meeting on Mon. June 23, Winter Haven city commissioners approved an MOA that would denote the City’s compliance with federal immigration enforcement “in arresting, detaining, and beginning the deportation process for criminal illegal aliens,” as explained by Vance Monroe Jr., Chief of Winter Haven Police.
City Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve the MOA. Commissioner Clifton E. Dollison voted no.
The MOA is part of a program for a partnership initiative between ICE and local law enforcement. The program was created through Florida Senate Bill 2c, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on Feb. 13, 2025.
“Under this program, designated state and local law enforcement officers are delegated the authority to perform certain immigration enforcement functions under the direction and oversight of ICE,” wrote Chief Monroe.
Through this program, the Winter Haven Police Department would be able to:
• Question individuals about their immigration status.
• Serve and execute immigration warrants.
• Make arrests for immigration violations.
• Initiate removal proceedings.
Local law enforcement would not be able to:
• Stop people based on immigration status.
• Ask for immigration papers on the street or during traffic stops.
• Detain anyone just because they are undocumented — unless directed by a court or ICE.
However, more than a dozen residents took to the podium during public comments to voice their disapproval of the MOA and urge city commissioners to vote against it.
One resident, Matthew Crowley, argued the MOA would allow local officers to take on the role of immigration agents, which would sow fear and distrust of the police into residents, many of whom would feel “hunted” and “unwanted.”
“This move does not make Winter Haven safer,” he said. “It makes our neighbors afraid to call for help…because they believe contact with the police can lead to detention or deportation…These agreements tear apart the trust of the community, and when that trust is gone, no one is safe.”
Another resident, Beth Hanson, argued that the MOA could lead to “racial profiling” and open the city up for potential lawsuits.
“If you vote on this, shame on you, shame on each and every one of you,” she told commissioners.
Yet another resident, Tina Polk, argued that the MOA would attack the very humanity of the people who would be targeted by it. She averred that immigrants living in the city are upstanding citizens whose presence contributes to the community.
“The people we are removing are human beings,” she said. “We are not taking hardened criminals and murderers, we are taking loyal neighbors and workers…Like all of us, they seek a better life. They are not a threat to us or our way of life. If anything, they have made it better.”
Chief Monroe insisted the MOA would not turn local police into immigration officers who would go about “asking for papers” or “rounding people up.” Rather, officers will only inquire about immigration status during a traffic stop or arrest for a crime.
“We are not going to be knocking on doors and asking people for their [immigration] status,” he said. “We are not going to violate people’s rights. We are going to do things that are lawful…No matter what we say, or how we say it, there will be people will feel we are going to be the strong arm of the federal government…That is not what we are going to do.”
Commissioner Bradley T. Dantzler insisted the City was required to comply with the MOA or else risk having their state funding cut for their city police department. As such, it placed the City “between a rock and a hard place.”
“I understand everybody’s frustration,” he said. “I am frustrated. We don’t want to be up here doing this. We didn’t pass this law…[but] there is some money at stake for our police department if we don’t do this.”
Commissioner Dollison was the only commissioner who voted against the MOA. He claimed it reminded him of Jim Crow and that voting in favor of it “would go against everything that I stand for.”
Winter Haven History Museum Volunteer and Polk Pioneer Receives City Proclamation
by James Coulter
Thomas Robert Cooney has lived in Winter Haven for more than 50 years. Both his five decades of lived experience and his volunteer work at the local museum has allowed him to contribute to the preservation of local history.
For his life and legacy, not only was Cooney recognized as a Polk Pioneer by The Polk County Historical Association (PCHA), but he also received an official proclamation by the City of Winter Haven.
At their regular meeting on Mon. June 23, the Winter Haven City Commission presented Thomas Robert Cooney with a proclamation dedicating that day as “Thomas Robert Cooney Day.”
Cooney was honored for his volunteer work at the Museum of Winter Haven History, which, as the proclamation stated, allowed him to aid in the “furtherance of their mission to preserve the history of Winter Haven for future generations.”
“The Polk County Historical Association and the City of Winter Haven are forever indebted to Mr. Cooney for sharing his life story and memories of growing up in Winter Haven,” the proclamation stated.
Recently, he was recognized as a 2025 Polk County Pioneer by the Polk County Historical Association. He was presented the award at the Annual Meeting and Pioneer Luncheon on June 17, 2025 at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, FL.
As the proclamation explained: “The Polk County Historical Association (PCHA) awards a ‘Polk Pioneer’ designation to selected citizens of Polk County on an annual basis and, since 1975, has sought to preserve and promote Polk County history through the organization’s on-going oral history program.”
“The eligibility requirements for the ‘Polk Pioneer’ status are for the citizen to have reached the age of 75 years or older; to have been a resident of Polk County for at least 50 years; and to complete an on-camera interview to share their memories and stories about life in Polk County,” the proclamation explained. “Mr. Cooney completed an on-camera, hour long interview on January 24, 2025.”
Cooney was present at the city commission meeting that evening to accept the proclamation and to share a few words on his behalf.
As he received his proclamation on the same day as local civil rights advocate Ernestine Davis, he humbly admitted that “I don’t feel like I have done that much compared to Ernestine.”
“We [at the museum] enjoy every Saturday showing some of our residents a few more things they do not know about their town,” he said. “I dearly love Winter Haven. I was not expecting this honor at all. And I thank you all.”
Do you recognize these liquor thieves? In concert, they visited Uptown Wine and Spirits (360 3rd St NW) selecting bottles of Hennessy and Adictivo Reposado Tequila and walked right out with no attempt to pay. They possibly fled in a red sedan. If you recognize either of these subjects, contact the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-291-5736.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
Call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477)
From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet. You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
A Polk County Sheriff’s deputy once praised for his record-breaking efforts to get drunk drivers off the road has now found himself on the wrong side of the law.
Deputy Justin Register, 28, resigned from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, following his arrest for petit theft. Sheriff Grady Judd made it clear that had Register not stepped down, he would have been terminated.
“I am disgusted by Justin Register’s dishonest behavior,” said Sheriff Judd. “We are going to hold him accountable for his disgraceful actions, and he should never be trusted to work in law enforcement again. I am proud of the two other deputies who came forward to report what they discovered.”
The arrest stems from an incident during a traffic stop near Fort Meade, where Register had pulled over a driver for operating a vehicle without a valid license. Deputies Joseph Leon and Vito Mineo arrived as backup and observed Register place the driver’s wallet and phone into the trunk of his patrol vehicle.
Deputy Leon later witnessed Register return to the trunk, and when the driver’s daughter arrived to collect her father’s belongings, Register retrieved the items and handed her $82 from the wallet. The driver, however, reported that approximately $300 was missing.
Deputies Leon and Mineo began searching the scene and located a pay stub showing the driver had recently cashed a $400 check. Deputy Leon again observed Register return to the trunk of his vehicle, where he unzipped a rifle bag and pulled out folded cash. After unfolding and flattening the money, Register proclaimed, “Oh, here it is!”
The incident was immediately reported to a supervising lieutenant, launching an internal investigation that resulted in Register’s arrest and resignation. He has been charged with misdemeanor petit theft.
But this incident is more than just a case of theft — it casts a long shadow over Register’s previous work as a traffic enforcement deputy, particularly his widely publicized DUI arrests.
In 2024, Register was celebrated across Polk County and beyond for making over 200 DUI arrests, shattering previous department records. His efforts were praised by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and earned him a Sheriff’s Commendation from Sheriff Judd. A social media post from the Sheriff’s Office at the time proudly highlighted Register’s accomplishments, noting that no deputy in PCSO history had made so many DUI arrests in a single year.
Now, those very arrests are under scrutiny.
Sheriff Judd has announced that all of Register’s arrests and traffic stops will be audited. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is also working with the 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office to review any active cases tied to Register’s work.
“This investigation is far from over,” Judd said. “If anyone has information concerning Register’s conduct related to any of his investigations, they are encouraged to contact our administrative investigation section.”
Justin Register had served with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office since May 2018.
Anyone with concerns or information related to Register’s past investigations is urged to contact the PCSO Administrative Investigations Section at (863) 298-6506.
Notice is hereby given that on 07/27/2025 at 06:00 AM the following vehicles(s) may be sold at public sale at 110 SPIRIT LAKE RD STE 3WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA 33880 for the amount owed on each vehicle to satisfy the lien for repairs, services and storage charges and any administrative fees allowed pursuant to Florida Statute 713.585. JHMCN36415C017484 2005 HOND 3100.00 The name, address and telephone number and public sale location of the repair shop claiming the lien for unpaid charges is: Lienor Name: CENTRAL FL SPEED LAB LLC Lienor Address: 110 SPIRIT LAKE RD STE 3, WINTER HAVEN, FL 33880 Lienor Telephone #: 407-942-4974 MV License #: [COMPANY_MV_LICENSE] Location of Vehicles: [VEHICLE_LOCATION] The customer or person claiming an interest, or a lien may redeem the vehicle by satisfying the amount due in cash on or before the sale date and time. The customer or person claiming an interest in or lien on a vehicle may file a demand for a hearing with the Clerk of Court in the [COMPANY_COUNTY] County where the vehicle is held to determine whether the vehicle has been wrongfully taken or withheld from him or her. At any time before the date of sale a customer or person of record claiming a lien on the vehicle may post a cash or surety bond in the amount stated on the invoice with the Clerk of Circuit Court where the disputed transaction occurred.
